Just got my first job in OB...VERY excited but nervous too...

RNGODBLESS · Mar 21, 2010

That is so awesome!!

baylor06 · Mar 21, 2010

Congrats!!! Best advice is just to ask a lot of questions! Most of your patients will probably be healthy individuals, but always be prepared for the unexpected! There are usually tale tell signs that something is changing- gradually increasing blood pressure, change in fetal heart strips, etc. Just pay attention to the little things and you will rarely be entirely caught off guard. Good luck and I wish you all the success in the world!

FLOBRN · Mar 21, 2010

Your solid background in med-surg will be a great asset to you. All the things you saw on med-surg you will eventually see in OB, diabetes (commonly),hypertension(frequently) liver failure, kidney failure, chf, stroke...the list is infinite.

CONGRATULATIONS on starting down your dream trail : )

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Mar 21, 2010

Hold onto your med/surg skills as tight as you can. I started out in OB after graduating and I am afraid I will loose med/surg skills. We do float occasionally to med/surg but not frequently. I do get gyne pts so I get to keep some med/surg skills that way too.

Ask a lot of questions. Take a fetal monitoring course. When you do a cervical dilation check take the dilation guide with you. Just pretend that you are using it to show the patient how far they are, then when you show them on the chart you can find it with your fingers and say "This is how far you are!" at the same time confirming what you felt. Maybe buy a review book. I am sure you will do fine:yeah:

nurse_becks6 · Apr 7, 2010

marcy...i'm right there with ya! i've only been a nurse for 10 months in a local rural hospital on the med surg unit but i've always had my heart set on women's health and ob nursing. i have been applying for any open jobs there since i was hired and finally had my dreams come true a few weeks ago. while i've been floating back and forth between the two for months, mainly for helping hands in pp care, i am now going to assist with all l&d and pp patients now. i'm exhilarated and scared all at the same time. i've been able to assist with two births already and know this is where i belong! i know there is a lot to learn and i'm hopeful i'll be able to retain it all. good luck to you and congrats on landing your dream job!!!

i've already learned that every provider has their own preferences for births and what they want done in a certain way, so learning that will be the most difficult. i recently took an nrp class which helped calm my nerves about assisting with resuscitation and i did buy an ob text book to reference and brush up on labor terminology that i've been away from since school. i'm most definitely a hands on learner so jumping into the care will be most beneficial for me. i look forward to other posts of encouragement and advice for you! again, enjoy yourself and good luck!!!

:yeah:

MarcyRN3385 · Apr 8, 2010

Thanks for all the replies and advice :) My first day on the floor was yesterday and it was an awesome day! I watched a c-section and then went with my preceptor to help with postpartum care. I know this is what I meant to do. The feeling I get when I am there is nothing I can explain. It is so nice to actually look forward to going to work and not watch the clock anxiously all day waiting for the day to end. I'm only 25 so I have many years of nursing ahead of me and this will be my main focus from now on :)

nurse_becks6 · Apr 9, 2010

I just helped with my first C-Section today....LOL...was amazing. I've been a Med surg nurse for almost a year so the after care was pretty straight forward. I too feel sad when I have to leave for the day....and today was a CRAZY day at work so that's saying something!!! This is not something everyone wants and when you "know" you "know" so I'm happy you found your niche in nursing... Good luck again..